Too Many Damn Right-Handed Hitters?

The New York Yankees hit too many damn home runs, and now apparently, they have too many damn right-handed hitters as well. This was the common theme yesterday and for much of the offseason every time that Manny Machado is linked to the Yankees as a free agent this offseason. Many fans are quick to point out that not only does the team need more pitching, which I agree with wholeheartedly, but that the team has too many right-handed hitters for it to make sense signing Machado. The former I can agree with, and I think this will ultimately be addressed whether Machado dons pinstripes next season or not, but the latter I cannot. It is nice for a team to be able to alternate left-handed and right-handed batters to keep an opposing manager on his toes in terms of pitching changes and strategies, but it is even better when your right-handed heavy offense can handle right-handed pitching just as well, or better than they can handle left-handed pitching. Do the Yankees have this? Baseball Reference has the answers.

Gary Sanchez:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	256	844	751	120	193	36	51	131	72	200	.257	.331	.509	.839
	vs LHP	123	286	246	44	58	13	20	54	38	72	.236	.339	.533	.872

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Gary hits better against RHP than he does LHP)

Miguel Andujar:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	143	438	418	63	130	33	20	72	15	68	.311	.338	.538	.876
	vs LHP	83	176	162	20	44	16	7	24	11	29	.272	.318	.512	.831

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Miguel hits better against RHP than he does LHP)

Gleyber Torres:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	120	350	313	37	87	13	13	51	28	83	.278	.341	.444	.785
	vs LHP	65	134	118	17	30	3	11	26	14	39	.254	.336	.576	.912

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Gleyber hits better against RHP than he does LHP)

Didi Gregorius:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	716	2218	2027	281	547	101	81	269	140	303	.270	.320	.453	.773
	vs LHP	418	820	745	89	192	30	13	87	44	125	.258	.311	.358	.669

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Didi hits better against RHP than he does LHP, granted he is a LHB)

Aaron Judge:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	284	955	800	172	228	37	67	163	138	301	.285	.391	.588	.978
	vs LHP	142	316	239	43	56	11	16	28	74	101	.234	.421	.490	.910

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Judge hits better against RHP than he does LHP)

Aaron Hicks:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	524	1551	1329	197	307	51	43	159	190	306	.231	.328	.380	.708
	vs LHP	313	680	598	86	147	28	27	81	75	146	.246	.329	.431	.761

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Aaron Hicks is a switch hitter that hits lefties better overall)

Giancarlo Stanton:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	1085	3694	3225	502	837	166	223	572	407	1086	.260	.347	.523	.870
	vs LHP	488	1122	960	175	285	70	82	200	150	263	.297	.393	.634	1.027

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Finally, a RHB on the Yankees that doesn't hit better against a lefty)

I have included Manny Machado for informational purposes only. I know Machado is not a Yankee, and I know there is no guarantee that he will be. Let’s assume that he becomes a Yankee for the sake of this post, although even without him the Yankees numbers as right-handed batters against right-handed pitching are good enough to prove my point without Manny. But still… Get Greedy… Get Manny.

Manny Machado:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	882	2963	2710	376	763	141	137	400	209	509	.282	.333	.491	.824
	vs LHP	453	1111	1010	146	287	70	38	113	87	160	.284	.342	.474	.816

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(case closed)

So, in closing. Do the New York Yankees have too many damn right-handed batters, and would they if they added Manny Machado to third base while moving Miguel Andujar to first base? The stats don’t usually lie, so the consensus has to be simple. No, they don’t. If their right-handed batters continue to hit right-handed pitching they could have nine right-handed batters every single time out there and it just wouldn't matter. Are more balanced lineups ideal? Sure, no one would argue that. Should the Yankees add a left-handed bat to the lineup if they can and if it makes sense? Absolutely. But, if they cannot should the team stay away from a potent right-handed bat like Machado knowing that he, and many others in the lineup, hit RHP just as well or comparable to how they hit LHP? Absolutely not. Get Greedy, Get Manny. 

Please, people. It is a long offseason already, don’t make it even longer by speaking without at least doing a little bit of research. I had one guy claim yesterday that he was right about Andujar’s defense at third base after reading an article on another Yankees blog. The writer wasn’t a scout, a manager, a coach, or even a member of the Yankees organization. Nope, just another nerd (and I mean that in the best way possible) like myself in front of a computer putting his opinions, speculations, and research out there for all to read for free. His opinion does not prove your “theory” that Andujar sucks defensively and will never improve, get over yourself before I have to write a part two to my “Yankees Fans are the Worst” article. Stay classy, stay informed, and thank you all for reading.



* all stats are career stats and are courtesy of Baseball Reference. 

Miguel Andujar, Manny Machado and My Thoughts on the First Base Situation

Good morning Yankees family. It has been a minute since I have been on the blog, and when we last spoke I wasn’t in the best of moods. The Yankees had just been eliminated from playoff contention by the Boston Red Sox and Yankees fans were in full riot mode. I called out and put on blast every single Yankees fan that took things too far and I don’t regret it, but at the same time I don’t want to make that sort of negativity a “thing” here on the blog. Moving on, just like the Yankees and Brian Cashman presumably already have. The offseason will officially be here in less than a month and I have begun looking at some of the winter options for the team. The first hot topic button I would like to address is third baseman Miguel Andujar, the potential acquisition of Manny Machado, and the Yankees current first base situation.

First and foremost, let me be frank. Luke Voit was a great acquisition by Cashman and company. He brought and energy and a power bat to the team that likely landed the Yankees their Wild Card Game in the Bronx this season. Without him, this team is playing in Oakland on October 3^rd against the Athletics. Many stars shine bright only to fizzle out after their initial orbit through the sky and I think the same will be said for Voit. Don’t get me wrong, I love Voit, but there is something to be said about a 27-year old player that didn’t make his MLB debut until the 2017 season. There is something to be said about a player that was drafted in the 32^nd round of the 2009 MLB First Year Players Draft taking an addition eight-or-nine years to make it to the big leagues. The Yankees rode the hot hand of Voit and tried to hide his abysmal defense at first base, but I cannot with confidence just hand him the first base job next season. I can’t, sorry. You know who I would like at first base next season though? Miguel Andujar, which would open up Voit and his stock (that will never be higher) to be traded.

Now, before everyone jumps down my throat about Andujar moving to first base… I did my research, unlike many who just simply want to move him to left field because of the impending free agency of Brett Gardner (and for no other reason). Unlike left field, Andujar has worked out and has attempted to learn the first base position. The position is not completely foreign to him, we and others wrote about it multiple times this season already.  

 June 28, 2017 – The Greedy Pinstripes

“The New York Yankees have a good problem on their hands, the team has too many good prospects and not enough positions to play them all at. The Yankees have Gleyber Torres scratching at the door of the Major Leagues, presumably at third base, leaving their next best third baseman to potentially learn a new position. Miguel Andujar, once thought to be the future in the Bronx at the hot corner, was seen last Friday taking reps at first base before his game with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders.”

http://www.thegreedypinstripes.com/2017/06/so-it-seems-miguel-andujar-is-learning.html

March 25, 2018 – CBS Sports

“Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said earlier this spring that Andujar will play about 20 percent of his games at first base this season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The bulk of Andujar's starts with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the season will still come at third base, but his ability to play both corner spots could accelerate his return to the big leagues if Greg Bird's right foot inflammation proves to be a long-term issue. Bird will be evaluated Monday in New York and could open the season on the disabled list, but it doesn't appear Andujar would be called back up from the minors to fill the void at first base immediately. Instead, Cashman suggested that Neil Walker would be the most likely candidate to start at first base if Bird is unavailable for Opening Day.”

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/yankees-miguel-andujar-will-see-time-at-first-base-in-minors/

March 26, 2018 – YES Network

“The Yankees also decided, even before Greg Bird's foot because an issue once again, to start working Andujar at first base this year, with Boone saying late last week that Andujar will be getting "about 80/20" work in Triple-A between his given position and the new one -- giving him versatility the manager desires, and versatility that can only help his case for a roster spot.”

http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20180326&content_id=269710444&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb

March 30, 2018 – Elite Sports NY

“Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reported a couple weeks ago that the Yankees gave Andújar a look at first base with their Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder, in an intrasquad against Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.

This past weekend, MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch tweeted that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that Andújar will play “20 percent” of his games in the minors at first base.”

https://elitesportsny.com/2018/03/30/new-york-yankees-moving-miguel-andujar/

April 3, 2018 – NJ.com

“Still, Andujar should take quickly to first base, said Luis Sojo, the team's Dominican Republic/United States transition head and minor-league infield coach.

Andujar worked out there last season and in spring training, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone has said it's possible Andujar play first base in the majors for however long he's up.

"When you play the middle infield or you play third base," Sojo said last week at the team's minor-league development complex, "(first base) can be real easy for you. He's got the ability to do it."

https://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2018/04/why_yankees_fan_favorite_says_miguel_andujar_shoul.html

I could keep going, but I think you get the point. The Yankees think that Andujar’s future is at first base, and they think he can handle the position well. When you have the opportunity to sign a once-in-a-lifetime talent like Machado without disrupting too much with the team, you do it. Period. Signing Machado to play third base and moving Andujar to first base gives the Yankees a healthy infield that would rival any infield of all-time. Machado, Didi Gregorius (when healthy), Gleyber Torres and Andujar from left-to-right not only gives the Yankees one of the best hitting infields of all-time, but that’s pretty damn good defensively as well.

I haven’t said this since the offseason before the 2009 season, but I am going to say it again. This was the exact phrase that kicked off The Greedy Pinstripes, and it will be the phrase that brings another title to the Bronx in 2019.

Get Greedy… Get Manny.

Hey Red Sox Fans, But the Game's Not Over...

‘Stros Send the RSN Home Early in Game 1…

I wasn’t going to watch Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, but I got sucked into it when the Houston Astros took a one-run lead off on the Boston Red Sox, with everybody’s favorite…Joe Kelly…on the mound, in the top of the sixth inning. It was awesome in the top of the ninth when one-time Red Sock Josh Reddick blasted a solo shot against his former team to make it a two-run game. When Yuli Gurriel parked a three-run homer into the right field stands, the Red Sox fans were exiting Fenway Park in droves and their team had yet to take their final swings in the bottom of the ninth. It was such a beautiful sight!

Photo Credit: Houston Chronicle (Karen Warren)

The Astros won the game, 7-2, to ensure they’ll head to Houston with no less than a split pending the outcome of today’s game. They could sweep the games at Fenway Park before jumping on a Texas-bound plane and they do have the good fortune of facing Yankees punching bag David Price later today. Hopefully the Astro bats will enjoy hitting off Price as much as the Yankees do.

Photo Credit: Boston Globe

Gerrit Cole draws the Game 2 pitching assignment for Houston. It is easy to look back to last winter and say the Yankees should have been more aggressive in their pursuit of Cole. Ken Davidoff wrote a great piece in The New York Post today regarding the Yankees and Cole. The Yankees were willing to package a deal centered on outfielder Clint Frazier, but the Pittsburgh Pirates wanted the inclusion of Miguel Andujar as a centerpiece too. In retrospect, despite the lost season for Frazier, it’s hard to find fault with the Yankees’ decision to hold onto Andujar even if the Yankees desperately need pitching. Also, there was no guarantee Cole would have pitched as well in New York as he did in Houston. Maybe Andujar eventually gets moved for another frontline starter. Oh well, I am not going to look back and criticize the Yankees for their failure to acquire Cole. The Pirates chose to accept an inferior package from the Astros. It was their decision; not ours. There’s nothing we can do about it. Cole is a good pitcher, but he’s not worth handing over the farm system for. Now if we are talking about Jacob deGrom, that’s a different story.

Many Yankee fans were offended when Alex Rodriguez lost a bet to David “Big Papi” Ortiz and had to wear Red Sox gear on Fox TV, thanks to Boston’s win over the Yankees in the ALDS.  Honestly, I could care less. It would have hurt if the player had been one of the core Yankees, but A-Rod’s not in that category. I know he’s done much to rehabilitate his image, but I truly wish the Yankees would have never acquired him. I would have been fine with him wearing a Red Sox uniform for real in 2004. I think A-Rod has done a fine job on the broadcasting side and I know he continues to preach the Yankees are his favorite team, but it doesn’t mean that I have to like him. The fact remains he tarnished the game and he lied to the fans. But aside from that, I’ve lost bets and had to wear Red Sox jerseys or hats before so to me it was no big deal.  

Photo Credit: FS1

I saw a funny Twitter post yesterday that said Milwaukee Brewers reliever Brandon Woodruff has more postseason homers than Boston’s Mookie Betts. Woodruff hit what would prove to be the eventual difference-maker in Milwaukee’s NLCS Game 1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night off the great Clayton Kershaw. So far in the 2018 post-season, Betts only has 4 hits in 20 at-bats, with no homers and a couple of RBI’s. Betts is a great player but he is not immune to the post-season blues.

Everyone is making their predictions for which pending free agents the Yankees should re-sign or let walk. I hate to say it, but I don’t see the Yankees bringing Brett Gardner back. They’d be foolish to exercise the $12 million option and while declining the option and re-signing him to a lower one-year deal is possible, I am convinced the presence of a healthy Clint Frazier and, ugh!, Jacoby Ellsbury will force the Yankees to move on.  

If the Yankees sign free agent Patrick Corbin of the Arizona Diamondbacks (as many expect) and re-sign J.A. Happ, I also do not see the Yankees bringing back CC Sabathia. So, the Yankees could be on the verge of losing their top two veteran leaders. I have no doubt other guys will pick up the void but I am appreciative of the Yankee careers for both Gardner and Sabathia. They’ve worn the Pinstripes proudly and will be missed.

Photo Credit: MLB.com

The Yankees face big decisions in the bullpen. With both David Robertson and Zach Britton ready to hit the free market, the Yankees have to decide whether to try and bring both back, just one, or let them both go elsewhere to the highest bidder. I’d love to see both return and I feel that having a super bullpen is so critical. Unless Luis Severino can make major adjustments this winter, the Yankees lack a true ace and signing Corbin does not change that fact. A super bullpen compensates for the deficiencies in the starting rotation. I love D-Rob’s heart, but if I had to make a choice for only one, I’d go with Britton. Unfortunately, I think Britton will get an insane offer from some other bullpen deficient team to be their closer, so it’s probably more likely the Yankees bring back Robertson. I’d really hate to see both leave.

While I think it is possible the Yankees go over the luxury tax threshold next year, the realist in me knows that Managing General Partner will give GM Brian Cashman a defined budget that may not include paying luxury tax penalties. I think some fans are expecting a 2009-like splurge with great young free agent superstars like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, but there’s a very good chance the Yankees pass on any extended nearly half a billion dollar contracts. I see many fans predicting both Machado and Harper in the 2019 Yankees lineup and that’s simply not happening. I know this website is called The Greedy Pinstripes but Hal's wallet is tighter than our dreams and aspirations.  

It’s amazing to think former Yankees third base coach Joe Espada might get a managing job before his former boss, Joe Girardi. Espada, currently bench coach for the Houston Astros, is emerging as one of the favorites for the job in Anaheim which was vacated when long-time Angels manager Mike Scioscia stepped down. Angels GM Billy Eppler knows Espada well from their time together in New York. Espada may be living the ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em’ dream, but his run of consecutive championship series will end if he becomes skipper of the Halos.  

I wonder if there are any Yankee fans that are actually pulling for the Red Sox over the Astros? None that I am aware of, but I am sure there are a few fair weather fans out there.

Let’s hurry up and fast-forward through the World Series so that we can get the Hot Stove League started. I am ready for the off-season planning to begin.  Nothing better than getting Hal Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman and other key executives together in one room to map out strategy for 2019. We can speculate. They can decide. But one thing’s for sure, we are united in our desire for a World Series championship next year.

As always, Go Yankees!

Facing Partial Season Without Emojis...

Photo Credit: Getty Images (Elsa)

Star Shortstop to undergo TJ surgery on his elbow…

My words yesterday morning didn’t age very well. I had said that shortstop was firmly set, yet here we sit today searching for Plan B at the position. I was as surprised as anyone to hear yesterday after my post that Didi Gregorius needed Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm after an apparent injury suffered during the recent ALDS against Boston. When Didi was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks, he apparently had a partial tear in the elbow that was asymptomatic. In a way, we’ve probably been living on borrowed time, much like we are with Masahiro Tanaka. While Gleyber Torres was able to bounce back fairly quickly from the same surgery, his surgery was on his non-throwing arm so the rehab for Didi will be longer than it was for Gleyber. Some have said that Didi could be out until after the All-Star Break. Plus, there are no guarantees with the surgery.

For those of us still trying to recover from the disappointment of losing the ALDS, these were not the words we wanted to hear. The immediate option is to slide Gleyber to short and play someone like Tyler Wade at second or re-sign Neil Walker to do it. Daniel Burch, the fearless leader of The Greedy Pinstripes, has cited second baseman D.J. LeMahieu as someone the Yankees could pursue. LeMahieu, who helped the Colorado Rockies reach the NLDS before their ouster by the Milwaukee Brewers, will be a free agent after the season. I think most Rockies fans would prefer for him to stay in the Mile High City. Some have mentioned him as a possible solution at third for the inevitable departure of the Rockies’ great third baseman Nolan Arenado, who will be a free agent after the 2019 season. I like LeMahieu but I am not sure he’s the best solution for the Yankees. Sometimes it takes a while for an idea to warm up for me, so if the Yankees do sign LeMahieu, maybe I’ll come around. Credit to Daniel for his “outside the box” thinking.

The obvious answer, for me, is to sign Manny Machado to play short until Didi can return, then slide him to third, pushing Miguel Andujar to left (or trade Andujar for much-needed pitching). I wanted Manny before the announcement of Didi’s surgery yesterday so this only reinforces the desire. Manny was 2-for-4 and had a homer and 3 RBI’s last night for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their 6-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Manny was the lone star on a night Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal tried to do his best Gary Sanchez impersonation with two passed balls and a couple of errors.

I am worried about the future of Didi Gregorius. He is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the 2019 season. Facing a potentially lost season, it’s not outside the realm of possibility the Yankees decide to move on. I personally hope the surgery does not prevent the team from looking into a long-term deal for the Yankees shortstop. I wouldn’t wait until next November to discuss dollars with Didi’s agent. The time is now. I would prefer Didi is not facing the pressure of playing for a new contract when he returns next June or July.  

It was funny when GM Brian Cashman mentioned Sonny Gray during yesterday’s press conference. I didn’t reference Gray at all in my post yesterday which shows how much I’ve moved on from the guy. I’ve been absolutely convinced that he cannot pitch under the pressure of New York, and Cashman reaffirmed it when he said that “probably to maximize his abilities would be more likely best somewhere else”. Cashman had to back-pedal a little but it was only because he needs to protect potential trade value for Gray. Gray is as good as gone, and I am glad. I think he’ll prosper someplace like Pittsburgh or Milwaukee or even back in Oakland. But he was never going to be “the man” in New York. It happens. Just ask Ed Whitson or Javier Vazquez. New York is not for everybody. I do not wish any ill will toward Gray. I hope he goes on to have a very fine career…in a different uniform.

It was also revealed CC Sabathia had surgery on his right knee, but realistically this is just an annual thing with Sabathia at this stage of his career. It should have no  bearing on whether or not the Yankees try to lock up CC on another one-year deal. Sabathia is expected to be ready next Spring, regardless of whether he is in Tampa, FL for training camp or elsewhere.

Former Yankees manager Joe Girardi interviewed with the Texas Rangers yesterday for their open managerial position. I could see Girardi in Dallas/Fort Worth. I’d probably prefer to see him resume his managerial career in the National League but if he was to go anywhere, the Rangers are fine. It’s better than seeing Girardi show up in the AL East with Baltimore or Toronto.  

While I wish Girardi the best, I don’t look back and wish he was still the Yankees manager. In an interview yesterday, Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner said that the decision to move on from Girardi was years in the making. I trust Yankees Leadership for the reasons they felt a change was necessary. I remain supportive of Manager Aaron Boone, but I am slightly disappointed that the team intends to stand pat with the coaching staff. I think Josh Bard will be an improved Bench Coach in 2019 unless he snags a managerial gig before then, but probably the one position I’d look closely at is pitching coach. Larry Rothschild is revered as one of the best pitching coaches in the game, yet when a Yankees pitcher makes an adjustment that results in success, the player compliments are generally directed at other guys like Pedro Martinez or Andy Pettitte. I’ll use Hal Steinbrenner’s words from yesterday, “look, I am not a baseball guy”, but from afar I really haven’t been all that impressed with Rothschild. It’s very possible that I don’t know “shit from Shinola” on this topic but it’s just a casual observation from a fan. I can’t really recall a time when I heard a pitcher say that their success is attributable to Larry. Maybe it’s been said and I just haven’t heard it.  Whatever. When Mel Stottlemyre, Sr was the Yankees pitching coach, you clearly knew the impact he had on the pitching staff. I just don’t have that same confidence with Rothschild.  

Adeiny Hechavarria is a pending free agent, but I hope the Yankees find a way to bring him (and his glove) back. I know that everyone loves Ronald Torreyes, but I’d prefer the defensive wizard in Hechavarria over Toe even if it means the team parts ways with Aaron Judge’s little buddy. With Didi shelved, the Yankees could certainly use the defense lost with his absence.  

I guess the Yankees will be giving us blog writers plenty to write about this winter. Never a dull moment in the Bronx. As long as it culminates in a World Series championship next year, all is good.

As always, Go Yankees!